Intel Corp (INTC)

[Elmer Phud]

Spokeshave -

So, if 82W is not the max power dissipation, then what is? (Note that AMD *does* include max power in its datasheets). Well, there is more than one way to skin a cat. The Intel docs state that the 3.06 max current is 65.4A at 1.55 volts. Well, now, that is pretty easy. Power = volts x amps. So, based on that doc, the max power is 101.37 watts. WOW!

There is some real confusion here. Table 2-2 indicates the VID=1.55 refers to a Max_Vcc, however I believe you need to read Table 2-6 Voltage and Current Specifications. It appears that VID=1.55V actually sets Vcc_Max at 1.425 Volts, not 1.55 Volts. Also note that the 3.06GHz P4 come with the VID at 1.475V, 1.5V, and 1.525V. So not all P4s operate at these worst case conditions. We also see there that the Max_Icc is 65.4 so that gives a max power of 93.195 Watts, not the 101+ you quote. Also, as I said in my previous post, this is an absolute worst case power number and requires Max_Vcc and presumably the fastest process corner which is admittedly probably the case at this speed (for now). This also matches exactly the numbers in Document # 24919929 where they clarify that Vcc_Max=1.425V. Note, this is Max_Icc, not typical and Max_Vcc. It doesn't get any worse than that but it can get better.

The confusion seems to be in the term VID which, according to table 2-6 and document #24919929, doesn't refer to Vcc.

EP